Wednesday in Hawkville

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WORD OF THE DAY
Biceps. As in, the bulging upper arms of new running backs Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett.

Jones’ guns are impressive, and he displays them by rolling up the sleeves of his practice jersey and tucking them under his shoulder pads. But even Jones admits that Duckett’s are bigger – so big that it has prompted sideline spectators to wonder how he’s able to cradle the ball in his arm.

“It’s part of my thing and my brother’s thing,” Jones said of the tucking routine and referring to his older brother, Thomas, who was the New York Jets’ leading rusher last season.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day. It took me a while to get these, so I’m going to show them off.”

The Jones’ brothers have more in common than flaunting their hard work in the weight room. Thomas christened the Seahawks’ new stadium in 2002, rushing for a career-high 173 yards while playing for the Arizona Cardinals. Julius, meanwhile, had a career-best 198-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Seahawks at Qwest Field in 2004.

Julius Jones can run, but he knows there’s not sense chasing Duckett in at least one category.

“His are a lot bigger than mine,” Jones said, with just a hint of biceps envy. “And I can’t catch him.”

PLAYER OF THE DAY
John Carlson. The rookie tight end from Notre Dame didn’t do anything spectacular. But the team’s second-round draft choice did take part in all aspects of practice after being limited Monday and Tuesday to rest a sore hamstring.

His presence in the team drills was significant, because the coaches are counting on Carlson to be the starter – despite his inexperience and coach Mike Holmgren’s admission that it is difficult for a rookie to play the position in his offense because he asks so much of the tight end.

Carlson was working behind Will Heller in the tight end rotation and with him in the two tight-end sets.

PLAY OF THE DAY
During a one-on-one drill where the linebackers were covering running backs, middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu tipped a pass intended for fullback Leonard Weaver, intercepted the carom and got both feet down before going out of bounds.

POSITION WATCH
Kickoff returner. During the drill designed to get work for the players who man the wedge, special teams coach Bruce DeHaven had Nate Burleson, Ben Obomanu, Josh Wilson, rookie Justin Forsett and Jones returning kicks.

When they got down to the entire No. 1 return unit being on the field, that group had been pared to Wilson, Burleson and Jordan Kent.

Burleson, of course, did the brunt of the work last season, when he averaged 21.9 yards on 27 kickoff returns. But that might change, with Burleson expected to be the starting split end.

“We are going to have to see how that goes,” Holmgren said of Burleson continuing to return kicks. “He’s a valuable special teams player and he’s good for us. But if he is our starting split end I might have to reevaluate that. Then, I have to see if someone can do what he did. We are working on that.”

INJURY REPORT
With the exception of Carlson getting more work, there was no change. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard worked in individual drills for the second consecutive day before sitting out the team drills.

OH BABY
Michele O’Connell, the wife of assistant director of broadcasting Brian O’Connell, gave birth to their first child May 26 – Sarah, who checked in at 9 pounds, 2 ounces and 21½ inches. Sarah shares her mother’s middle name – Rene’.

QUOTE UNQUOTE
“There is a lot of change, but I think in the end it will make us tougher to defend.” – quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, on all the new faces on offense, among the players and coaches